Ginebra guard RJ Abarrientos during Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against NorthPort.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Barangay Ginebra cranked things up in the middle quarters on Friday night to blow NorthPort to smithereens, 126-99, and claim the last spot in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
The Gin Kings pulled away in the second period and then buried the Batang Pier into depths of 31 points in the third at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City to ultimately arrange a best-of-seven championship duel with TNT Tropang Giga, their tormentors in the previous tournament.
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The crowd darlings dispatched the top-seeded Batang Pier in five games, their loss two nights ago looking like an anomaly after Friday’s blowout.
READ: PBA: TNT books Finals berth, closes out Rain or Shine
Ginebra coach Tim Cone and RJ Abarrientos after defeating Northport in the Comms. Cup semis and moving on to the #PBAFinals. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Xk8UK7yxIy
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025
Rookie RJ Abarrientos had 20 points, four rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals to show the way for the crowd darlings, whose championship aspirations against the telco club will begin on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
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“Actually, in our huddle before the game, LA (Tenorio) said that the loss should be the boost for the game today—and that we needed that going into the TNT series. I feel like everyone stepped up,” the young playmaker said.
Resident import Justin Brownlee had 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Jamie Malonzo added 20 more to match Abarrientos’ total. Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, and Troy Rosario all finished with at least 11 points each in the effort, which was tainted by the latter’s ankle sprain.
READ: PBA: TNT, Ginebra gun for close-out victories
And that’s why head coach Tim Cone feels the next few days will be key, as his charges can recapture their breath, but more importantly, Rosario could determine the severity of his injury.
Reinforcement Kadeem Jack had 31 points for NorthPort, who again sorely missed the high scoring of ace Arvin Tolentino. Joshua Munzon chipped in 12—the only local to turn in double-digit scores for the crew who were seemingly going deep in this tournament after a sterling elimination round and quarterfinals run.
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